Mental Health Ministry

Mental Health Ministry Resources

Bay Area Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness

A Conversational Helpline

Mental Health Guide for Veterans

Marriage/Family Therapy programs online

Substance abuse

College planning guide for students with mental health disorders

Employment resource

To help those who are living with mental health conditions gain employment, this resource  provides a step-by-step guide to finding work while receiving treatment, including specific resume and cover letter writing tips and example interview questions, as well as information to stay self-assured and centered while pursuing their professional goals. 

A new resource for those struggling with mental health, seeking to attend college

Here is one (of many) resources for those struggling with substance abuse

StartYourRecovery.org

Here is one possible (affordable) program for MFT training

The Camp Lejuene Claims Center provides resources for veterans and their families to help those struggling with mental health issues. Their website is here

For many, these are tough times. 

Some of us feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and maybe even hopeless.
Talking over your concerns with a caring person can help you gain some perspective.

Praying with someone can help you place your confidence in God who cares for you and your future even more than you!

Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Leave a message anytime

Deacon Fred Totah: 415-614-5504

All calls will be treated confidentially. Referrals to counselors or other assistance available.  But we are here primarily to talk with you, pray with you, give you some emotional support and accompaniment as we all navigate these difficult times.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness — NAMI — is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness:  www.nami.org.  NAMI Affiliates in the three counties of the Archdiocese of San Francisco are listed below:

San Francisco County
Helpline: 415-237-0039
Website: www.namisf.org

San Mateo County
Helpline: 650-638-0800
Website: www.namisanmateo.org

Marin County
Helpline: 415-444-0480
Website: www.namimarin.org

Mental Health Resources in the West Bay

24-hour emergency numbers
Call 911 for all emergencies
 

Additional Resources

Spiritual Resources to Meet the Pandemic Challenge

Msgr. John Talesfore reports on the Mental Health Ministry pilot programs at St. Matthew’s in San Mateo and Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and these programs, he says, provide meaningful outreach. “It can be so simple amid stress and fear”:

ARTICLE:   PARISH MINISTRY: TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO LISTEN AND CARE

The coronavirus and the global spread of COVID-19 disease have had an unprecedented effect on all our lives, and the stress and anxiety can take a toll on health both physical and mental:

ARTICLE: “HOW PRAYER CAN HELP DEFEAT ANXIETY”

“When mental illness crept into my life, I slowly stopped turning to the saints for help….”  There are patron saints for many needs. Whom can we call on for spiritual support with this?

ARTICLE: “MENTAL ILLNESS: FIVE PATRON SAINTS TO INVOKE

Parishes with a Mental Health Ministry

All Souls, South San Francisco
Church of the Epiphany, San Francisco
Mission Dolores Basilica, San Francisco
Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redwood City
St. Anselm, San Anselmo
St. Bruno, San Bruno
St. Hilary, Tiburon
St. Matthew, San Mateo
St. Raphael, San Rafael
St. Raymond, Menlo Park
St. Veronia, South San Francisco

MORE INFORMATION:

Mental Health Ministry Brochure
Volante sobre Ministerio de Salud Mental

What can parishioners do? And how to do it?

Catholics Must Do More to Accompany People with Mental Illness – A U.S. Catholic magazine interview (March 2019)

12 Ways Parishes Can Support People with Mental Illness” – A U.S. Catholic magazine editorial (March 2019

“Hope and Healing”: California Bishops’ Pastoral Letter

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE BISHOPS OF CALIFORNIA ON CARING FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS ADDRESSED TO ALL CATHOLICS AND PEOPLE OF GOODWILL

“As pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church….”

Read here the California Catholic Bishops’ groundbreaking pastoral letter, released on May 2, 2018:

Hope and Healing  (English PDF)
Hope and Healing (Spanish PDF)
Hope and Healing  (Vietnamese PDF)

Note to those using eTherapyFinder.com :
As a consequence of California AB 5, eTherapyFinder has had to cease operations.
We sincerely regret this, and hope the legislature will some day reverse or amend the law
so we can continue in operation. 

An Interview with Aaron Kheriaty, M.D.

“I believe this document is a unique contribution toward overcoming unjust stigma around mental health. It’s the first document from American bishops, that I am aware of, that addresses this issue directly.” Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, associate professor of Psychiatry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, is director of the Medical Ethics Program at UC Irvine Health, and author of The Catholic Guide to Depression: How the Saints, Sacraments, and Psychiatry Can Help You Break Its Grip and Find Happiness Again. Read his response to the California Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter in this exclusive interview with Valerie Schmalz, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity.

Read Full Interview

Suicide Prevention

Are you in crisis?     
Do you know someone who is?

Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 988, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the NSPL’s website.

Lifeline 988 ofrece servicios gratuitos en español las 24 horas del de día,
los 7 días de la semana, y no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda.
Obtenga más información en español aquí

Suicide: What are the signs and symptoms?

[from the National Institute for Mental Health]

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
• Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about great guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, making a will.

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently. One resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

Suicide: What are the risk factors?

[from the National Institute for Mental Health]

Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. Suicidal behavior is complex and there is no single cause. In fact, many different factors contribute to someone making a suicide attempt. But people most at risk tend to share certain characteristics. The main risk factors for suicide are:

• Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
• Certain medical conditions
• Chronic pain
• A prior suicide attempt
• Family history of a mental disorder or substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Having guns or other firearms in the home
• Having recently been released from prison or jail
• Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities.

Many people have some of these risk factors but do not attempt suicide. It is important to note that suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored.

Christ calls us to attend to those who suffer from mental illness and provide hope and healing. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church.
The California Catholic Conference: Bishops’ Pastoral Letter Hope and Healing